AHEAD of this week's EU referendum a series of Worcestershire people have penned pieces for the Worcester News on why Britain should back Remain or Leave.

Here student Zachariah Bailey, 21, of Evesham, explains why he is voting Remain.

By Zachariah Bailey

"THERE is a positive, patriotic case to be made of why Britain is better off in Europe.

Together we have delivered decades of peace and prosperity and created the world's largest trading community, which has led to lower prices for families, cheaper flights for holidaymakers, and a breadth of opportunities to work, travel and study abroad for British people.

At a local level the European Union has provided skilled labour to many of Worcestershire businesses, from market gardeners who require seasonal labour to help harvest their crops, to local authorities who have filled skills shortages in hospitals and schools with highly educated immigrants for the EU.

Whilst I would be the first to admit that the European Union is by no means perfect, it provides us with a common platform to fight against cross-border problems from climate change to radical terrorism.

We must work together to solve the world's most pressing issues cannot afford to batten down the hatches and sail off into a sea of isolationism.

What's more is that the European Union has helped to fund life saving research at British universities, and enact environmental protections that improve our air quality and protect the countryside for future generations.

Worcestershire may only be a small part of the United Kingdom, but it is a great part, made more prosperous and cosmopolitan by membership of the European Union.

Did you know that between 2014 and 2020, Worcestershire will receive £58.3 million from European Structural and Investment funds?

These funds are targeted at making the county a highly competitive business location, investing in high-speed broadband connections for small businesses, and subsidising low carbon environmental projects in the farming and transportation sectors.

At 21, it is my generation who will have to solve the problems of the future, from accommodating a growing global population, to ensuring that Britain is safe and prosperous for all.

It is for this reason that I would urge you to vote Remain on June 23rd.

By standing tall and leading in Europe, we can help rovide a better future for our children and grandchildren."

* Why we need to escape this EU 'nightmare': by Worcester entrepreneur Neil Westwood